Sports Conditioning for the Female Knee: An Injury Prevention Program Sports Conditioning for the Female Knee: An Injury Prevention Program Program Background Knee injuries have become a significant problem in women’s sports. Studies have shown that females sustain injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at a far greater rate than their male counterparts. These injuries most frequently occur in sports such as soccer, basketball and gymnastics. All of these sports require athletes to perform sudden cuts, jumps and stops. Nearly three-fourths of these injuries occur with little or no physical contact. Females are two to eight times more likely than males to sustain an ACL injury. Researchers have attempted to explain this gender-based discrepancy by citing factors such as anatomical differences; hormonal influences; biomechanical factors such as altered mechanics with jumping and cutting tasks; and muscle strength imbalances. Current research focuses on neuromuscular training programs as one strategy to minimize the risk of ACL injuries. Several programs have had success in reducing these injury rates. We have adapted our training program from the ACL Prevention Project, created by the Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Foundation (www.aclprevent.com). Purpose of the Program To decrease the incidence of lower extremity injuries in female athletes Goals Increase athletes' strength and flexibility Improve athletes' awareness of proper mechanics and technique with athletic tasks Enhance team training regimens with plyometric and agility drills Consultation The MGH Sports Physical Therapy Service would be very happy to assist any group in the design, implementation and supervision of this program. We believe that our staff of physical therapists and athletic trainers would be integral in assisting the coach and athletes in fully understanding the program and obtaining maximum benefit from it. If you would like to discuss this opportunity with us further please call MGH Sports Physical Therapy at 617-643-9999 and ask to speak with Anne Viser, PT, ATC or Jim Zachazewski, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC. The detailed program can also be accessed at www.massgeneral.org/sports/therapy.html Sports Conditioning for the Female Knee: An Injury Prevention Program Program Format The program consists of 6 progressive training sessions. Each training session will include 5 main components: (1) active warm-up; (2) stretching exercises; (3) strengthening exercises; (4) plyometric drills; (5) agility drills. Each session’s exercises will build upon those performed during the previous session. As the athlete’s skill improves, we will increase the challenge and level of intensity. By the end of the program, athletes will be able to perform a complete training regimen (15-20 minutes) which can be implemented into the regular sports season. SESSION 1 Warm-up: A warm-up is performed to help prepare your muscles for exercise. 1. Jog line to line Complete a slow jog from near to far sideline of the field. 2. Shuttle Run (side to side) Start in an athletic stance with a slight bend at the hips and knees. Leading with the right foot, sidestep pushing off with the left foot. When you drive off the back leg, be sure the hip, knee and ankle are in a straight line. Switch sides at half field. 3. Backward Running Run backwards from sideline to sideline. Stay on your toes and remember to keep the knees slightly bent at all times. Stretching: After a short warm-up, it is helpful to stretch your muscles. These exercises help to improve your flexibility and reduce stiffness in your joints. This helps to reduce the risk of injury and improve your overall mobility and performance. 1. Quadriceps stretch (30 second hold x 2 reps each side) Place your left hand on your partner’s left shoulder. Reach back with your right hand and grab the front of your right ankle. Bring your heel to your buttock. Make sure to keep the knee pointed down toward the ground and your knees together. Do not allow the knee to wing out to the side and do not bend at the waist. 2. Figure Four Hamstring Stretch (30 second hold x 2 reps each side) Sit on the ground with your right leg extended out in front of you. Bend your left knee and rest the bottom of your foot on your right inner thigh. With a straight back, try to bring your chest toward your knee. Do not round out your back. If you can, reach down toward your toes and pull them up toward your head. Remember not to bounce. Sports Conditioning for the Female Knee: An Injury Prevention Program 3. Calf & Hip Flexor Stretch (30 second hold x 2 reps each side) Stand in a forward lunge position, with your back leg straight and your front knee bent. Shift your weight forward onto your front leg, while keeping your back straight. Tighten your abdominal muscles. You should feel a stretch in the calf and in the front hip of the back leg. 4. Inner Thigh/Butterfly stretch (30 second hold x 2 reps) Sit on the ground and bring your feet in together allowing the soles of your shoes to touch. With both hands, grab onto your shoes pushing down your knees with your elbows. Strengthening: These exercises strengthen the muscles of the leg, helping to provide support to the knee joint. Technique is very important during each of these exercises in order to avoid injury. 1. Forward Walking Lunges (10 reps x 3 sets) Lunge forward, leading with your right leg. Push off with your right leg and lunge forward with your left leg. Drop the back knee straight down. Make sure that you keep the tip of your toes, kneecap and hip all in line. Control the motion and try to avoid your front knee from caving inward. If you can’t see your toes on your leading leg, you are doing the exercise incorrectly. 2. Bridge (10 reps x 3 sets) Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat. Tighten your abdominals. Lift your hips in the air and squeeze your buttocks. Make sure your back does not arch. Slowly lower back down to the start position. Repeat. 3. Crunch (10 reps x 3 sets) Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat. Place your hands behind your head. Squeeze your abdominals, lifting your shoulders slightly off of the floor, keeping your neck straight and your elbows out to the side. Breathe out as you come up and hold at the top for a five seconds. Slowly lower back down to start position. Plyometrics: These exercises are explosive and help to build power, strength and speed. Proper landing technique is very important. When you land from a jump, you want to softly accept your weight on the balls of your feet, slowly rolling back to the heel. It is important to land with a bend in your knees and hips. 1. Lateral Hops over cone (20 reps) Stand with a 6-inch cone to your left. Hop to the left over the cone softly landing on the balls of your feet. Land with your knees bent. Repeat this exercise hopping to the right. Sports Conditioning for the Female Knee: An Injury Prevention Program 2. Forward/Backward Hops over cone (20 reps) Hop over the cone softly landing on the balls of your feet and bending at the knee. Now, hop backwards over the cone using the same landing technique as before. Agility: These drills incorporate balance, coordination, speed and strength to help improve the body’s ability to quickly react and change direction during sport activity. Agility drills should be performed explosively, but in a controlled manner. 1. Shuttle run with forward/backward running Start drill by running forward. When you come to the first marker, pivot to transition into backwards running. Continue running backwards then pivoting on the opposite foot at the next marker to transition to forward again. Continue this sequence for the length of the field. 2. Diagonal runs (3 passes) Face forward and run to the first cone on the left. Pivot off the left foot and run to the second cone. Now pivot off the right leg and continue onto the third cone. Make sure that the outside leg does not cave in. Keep a slight bend to the knee throughout. Sports Conditioning for the Female Knee: An Injury Prevention Program SESSION 2 Warm-up 1. Jog line to line 2. Shuttle Run (side to side) 3. Backward Running Stretching 1. Quadriceps stretch (30 second hold x 2 reps each side) 2. Figure Four Hamstring Stretch (30 second hold x 2 reps each side) 3. Calf & Hip Flexor Stretch (30 second hold x 2 reps each side) 4. Inner Thigh/Butterfly stretch (30 second hold x 2 reps) Strengthening 1. Forward Walking Lunges (10 reps x 3 sets): 2. Bridge Progression with Knee Extensions (10 reps x 3 sets) Lie on your back and bend your knees. Tightening your buttocks and abdominals, lift your hips off the ground. Your hips should stay level, keeping your body in good alignment. Lift one leg up and straighten the knee. Slowly lower the leg back down. Now, repeat with the opposite leg. Repeat. 3. Crunches (10 reps x 3 sets) 4. Oblique Crunches (10 reps x 2 sets) Lie on your back, and bend your knees. Take one leg and cross it over the other allowing the foot to rest on the opposite knee. Now, bend the opposite arm and place it behind your head. Contract your abdominals, lifting in a diagonal pattern toward the opposite knee. Plyometrics 1. Lateral Hops over cone (20 reps) 2.